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DA wants clarity on senior health officials' suspensions

The Democratic Alliance on Thursday questioned whether accountability and consequence management are prioritised in the Department of Health, calling on Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi to clarify the suspensions of director-general Sandile Buthelezi and two senior officials.

On Thursday President Cyril Ramaphosa directed Motsoaledi to place Buthelezi, deputy director-general for hospitals services, tertiary health services and human resource development Dr Percy Mahlati and CFO Phaswa Mamogale on precautionary suspension following their arrests on allegations of fraud and theft.

The officials were arrested in an ongoing investigation into allegations of theft and fraud of over R1-million in public funds from the DoH.

The suspensions are said to be until their cases are finalised.

DA spokesperson on Health Michele Clarke questioned the suspensions, though, saying Motsoaledi's statement did not make clear whether the suspension would apply until the matter is finalised within the criminal justice system, which she said could take years, or whether the Minister would employ an internal disciplinary process.

"A department that cannot afford to employ sufficient doctors or nurses cannot afford to indefinitely pay the salaries of three senior officials accused of corruption, fraud, and theft," she explained.

The party said the investigations by the Hawks should be paralleled by an independent internal investigation, and the Minister needed to take the country into his confidence on whether the three officials were receiving their full salaries while under suspension, and what type of suspension that was.

The DA said it on Thursday asked Ramaphosa in Parliament how he was going to deal with the investigation and consequence management on this issue.

ANC distances itself from food parcel distribution, takes internal action

The African National Congress (ANC) on Wednesday distanced itself from the distribution of food parcels, emphasising that the activity was not under the mandate or authority of the party.

The party noted social media images depicting the distribution of food parcels by Deputy Minister and ANC MP Bernice Swarts, while displaying the name, colours and branding of the party.

ANC National Spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu said the images created the false impression that the distribution was part of an official ANC programme or campaign.

"The ANC wishes to state categorically that the distribution reflected in these images is not an ANC campaign and was not authorised by any structure of the organisation," she said.

Bhengu said the party has taken internal steps to address the matter and has reprimanded Swarts, as well as those who participated in the activity under the ANC banner without authorisation.

The ANC acknowledged that some of its members undertake a social responsibility role in their communities by assisting vulnerable households and supporting local initiatives.

"…such acts of solidarity reflect the values of Ubuntu and service to the people that define the movement. However, members are reminded that acts of charity or community assistance must never be conducted using the ANC name, colours or branding, nor should they be presented as organisational programmes when they are private initiatives," Bhengu stated.

The ANC further stressed that assistance to communities must uphold their dignity and respect and must not diminish their humanity.

The ANC said its members, organisations and individuals must refrain from "misusing" the ANC name and symbols, in ways that undermine the dignity of communities or mislead the public.

Ramaphosa asks Motsoaledi to suspend Health DG, other officials

President Cyril Ramaphosa has directed Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi to place Departmental Director General Sandile Buthelezi on precautionary suspension following his arrest on allegations of fraud and theft.

Buthelezi was one of three senior officials who were arrested in an ongoing investigation into allegations of theft and fraud of over R1-million in public funds from the Department of Health.

He will remain on precautionary suspension until his cases are finalised or until his contract comes to an end.

National Health Insurance Deputy Director General Professor Nicolas Crisp will act as Director General for three months.

Meanwhile, Motsoaledi has also placed the Deputy Director General for Hospitals Services, Tertiary Health Services and Human Resource Development Dr Percy Mahlati on precautionary suspension until his cases are finalised, or until the expiry of his contract.

Department CFO Phaswa Mamogale is also on precautionary suspension until his cases are finalised.

"Minister Motsoaledi would like to allow the law to take its course. All officials affected by the decision have been formally notified of their suspensions. Minister Motsoaledi would like to assure the stakeholders and public that the department will continue to function optimally according to its mandate," his office said.

EFF calls for expulsion of Trump's ambassador

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the African National Congress (ANC) have condemned US ambassador to South Africa Leo Brent Bozell III's utterances on South Africa's foreign policy and domestic laws, with the EFF calling for his expulsion as an Ambassador and for him to immediately be declared persona non grata.

The party believes Bozell has expressed contempt for the country, the President of South Africa, the legislature and South Africa's judiciary.

Bozell has issued several warning regarding South Africa's foreign policy and domestic laws.

Bozell assumed office last month after being nominated by US President Donald Trump.

Relations between Washington and Pretoria have deteriorated in the last year as Trump accused South Africa of persecuting its white minority, criticised its ties with Russia and China, imposed steep tariffs on its exports and cut all aid.

South Africa has not had an ambassador in Washington since the Trump administration expelled Ebrahim Rasool.

In an address to a Biznews 2026 conference Bozell outlined the US's supposed frustration with South Africa for not adhering to requests on land expropriation, Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment, the protection of white farmers and others.

The EFF said these requests were being made by the "child-killing war-mongering Donald Trump administration".

In his address, Bozell noted the continued and mutually beneficial relationship South African has with US-based tech-companies, Google, Microsoft, Amazon VISA and the more than 500 US companies which operate in South Africa.

The EFF pointed out that while these companies undoubtedly contribute to employment in the country, they conversely extract profit from South Africa's economy.

"…therefore, any suggestion that their commercial presence is South Africa is a sign of 'goodwill' and 'commercial diplomacy' by the US, is indicative of the economic and political illiteracy that plagues the White House today," the party said.

The EFF said it is puzzling that Bozell suggests that the private sector endeavours of US-based companies in South Africa represent a measure of political goodwill, which can be withdrawn due to the meaningless dissatisfaction of American politicians.

"As the EFF we highly doubt that these companies perceive their investment in South Africa as an extension of Donald Trump's political ambitions, and we doubt these companies would appreciate being used as leverage in diplomatic relations," it added.

Meanwhile, ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula said threats of investors pulling out from South Africa are unfounded, noting that these companies attended the G20 even though the Trump administration did not.

"US companies are confident in the South African economy as seen by Walmart recently entering the South African market. South Africa is open for business and is a safe destination for global companies to do business," he said.

The ANC reiterated that South Africa believes in a multipolar world which respects international law and international institutions that support a system of multilateralism.

The EFF stated that Bozell has "taken it upon himself" to dictate to South Africa what should characterise its nation's domestic and foreign policy, expressing displeasure at the "genocidal Trump-regime he represents".

Bozell also suggested that to retain investment in the country, South Africa ought to cut ties with adversaries of the United States, particularly Iran.

"Perhaps most disrespectfully as a diplomat, Bozell stated that he does not care what our courts say about the struggle song Kill The Boer, Kill The Farmer, and that our government must condemn what our courts correctly characterised as free speech and part of our history in the struggle against racial domination," the EFF said.

The EFF said it has informed Bozell that the US has no say in what constitutes South Africa's domestic and foreign policy agenda, and added that his displeasure ...

GDP: ActionSA criticises GNU for 'stagnated economy' as govt welcomes 'accelerate inclusive growth'

ActionSA has expressed concerns with the latest GDP figures, accusing the Government of National Unity (GNU) of "sitting on its hands" while the economy stagnated.

Statistics South Africa on Tuesday reported that the country's GDP increased by 0.4% between October and December 2025.

The economy grew by 1.1% in 2025, an improvement from 0.5% growth in 2024.

However, ActionSA Member of Parliament Alan Beesley stated that nearly two years into its tenure, the GNU has "yet to present a credible, coherent plan" to lift the country out of a low-growth trap.

"Instead, South Africans are left to watch the listless economy drift, unemployment remains entrenched, and businesses struggle to survive," he said.

He pointed out that with GDP growing by only 1.1% in 2025, against a population growth of around 1.4% to 1.5%, GDP per capita is "effectively shrinking".

Beesley said the sectoral breakdown is alarming.

"Manufacturing contracted by 1.2% in 2025, signalling persistent weakness in a key productive sector. Even more concerning is construction, which shrank by 4.4%, leaving a historically vital job-creating industry in freefall, despite claims to have turned SA into a construction site," he said.

He argued that these declines reflect a government that has failed to create the conditions necessary for investment, growth, and employment.

He said South Africa's stagnation is in contrast to the global environment.

"Emerging and developing economies are growing at roughly 4%, and Sub-Saharan Africa is expanding at a similar pace. South Africa's weak performance is not inevitable but the direct result of policy paralysis and a government unable to implement a coherent economic reform agenda," he said.

Meanwhile, the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) welcomed the latest GDP data, attributing the growth to partnerships between government and business.

The GCIS noted that the fourth quarter performance marks the fifth consecutive quarter of economic growth, which it said signalled continued resilience in the economy despite a challenging global environment.

On the production side of the economy, growth was largely driven by key service-related sectors, including finance, real estate and business services; trade, catering and accommodation; and personal services.

The GCIS explained that positive contributions were also recorded in agriculture and general government services.

"On the expenditure side, economic expansion was supported by increased household spending, growth in gross fixed capital formation, and higher government consumption, which collectively contributed to the positive quarterly outcome," it said.

The GCIS pointed out that the fourth quarter performance helped lift annual GDP growth to 1.1% in 2025, the highest annual growth rate since 2022, when the economy expanded by 2.1%.

"Government believes that the reforms that are being implemented through Operation Vulindlela and government/business partnerships are enablers of this sustained growth," the GCIS said.

GDP increased by 0.4% in the fourth quarter; by 1.1% for 2025

South Africa's GDP increased by 0.4% in the fourth quarter of 2025, following an increase of 0.3% in the third quarter of 2025, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) has revealed.

The finance, real estate and business services industry increased by 1.4%, contributing 0.3 of a percentage point. Increased economic activities were reported for other business services; financial intermediation, insurance and pension funding; auxiliary activities; and real estate activities.

The trade, catering and accommodation industry increased by 0.9%, contributing 0.1 of a percentage point. Increased economic activities were reported for wholesale trade, motor trade, retail trade, food and beverages and accommodation.

The personal services industry increased by 0.4%, contributing 0.1 of a percentage point. Increased economic activities were reported for community services and other producers.

General government services increased by 0.4%. This was mainly due to increased employment in provincial and local government.

The agriculture, forestry and fishing industry increased by 0.4%. This was primarily due to increased economic activities reported for field crops and horticulture products.

The manufacturing industry decreased by 0.6%, contributing -0.1 of a percentage point. Eight of the ten manufacturing divisions reported negative growth rates. The largest negative contributions were reported for the motor vehicles, parts and accessories and other transport equipment; wood and wood products, paper, publishing and printing; and food and beverages divisions.

Meanwhile, Stats SA reported that GDP increased by 1.1% for 2025, compared with GDP growth of 0.5% in 2024.

The full-year GDP growth was primarily led by higher economic activities in finance, real estate and business services (1.9% and contributing 0.5 of a percentage point); agriculture, forestry and fishing (17.4% and contributing 0.4 of a percentage point); and trade, catering and accommodation (2.3% and contributing 0.3 of a percentage point).

The manufacturing; electricity, gas and water; and construction industries recorded negative growth in 2025.

IEC confirms voter registration weekend in June for local elections

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) on Tuesday announced that a nationwide voter registration weekend would take place on June 20 and 21, ahead of the upcoming local government elections, the date for which has yet to be announced.

IEC chief electoral officer Sy Mamabolo was briefing the nation on the commission's state of readiness and latest developments in the electoral landscape as preparations gather momentum toward the elections.

He pointed out that the timing of the registration weekend aligns with the current planning assumption that the Commission must stand ready to administer elections whenever they are lawfully called.

"This alignment ensures procedural certainty, operational readiness and full compliance with the legal framework," he added.

He said discussions with Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa were at an advanced stage, assuring the public that an election date would be proclaimed after the registration weekend.

The municipal council term expires on November 1 and the general elections would fall between November 2 and the end of January 2027.

The IEC reminded all eligible South Africans to register to vote where they ordinarily reside.

"Once the election date has been announced, they must vote where they are registered," said Mamabolo.

The proclamation of the election date will formally trigger the certification and publication of the voters' roll and inspection of the voters' roll and the lodging of objections.

It will also include the consideration and adjudication of objections by the IEC, as well as the submission of candidate nominations and the applicable cut-off deadlines.

The Commission's position is that an early announcement of an election date is critical, as this directly determines where South Africans register.

"For instance, a student studying in one province but ordinarily residing in another, must know whether they will be on campus or at home when the country votes. That clarity ensures they register correctly and avoids unnecessary administrative complications closer to election day," Mamabolo pointed out.

He clarified that in a local government election, there is no legal facility to vote outside of the voting station of registration.

"This is a necessary requirement as it ensures that voters vote in a ward that has a relationship with their place of ordinary residence. In other words, voters vote for ward councillors to represent the communities in which they live," he explained.

ONLINE AND NEW REGISTRATIONS

Mamabolo pointed out that the IEC is observing a steady increase in the number of South Africans using the online self-registration platform.

"More citizens are also taking advantage of outreach initiatives to register and update their details, reflecting a growing confidence in both our digital and in-person registration channels," he said.

He explained that the nationwide Online Voter Registration Campaign is starting to bear fruit, noting that between November 2025 and March 2026, a total of 260 205 new registrations were recorded.

"…of these, 128 113 voters registered through our Voter Management Devices (VMDs), while 132 092 registered via the online self-service portal," he said.

He stated that the current registration activity is a crucial reversal of the net loss on the voters' roll owing to mortality.

He explained that ordinarily, voter registration numbers decline in the period between two elections.

"The gains in the numbers reflect the Commission's concerted efforts to encourage voter registration and to increase voter registration opportunities," he said.

Provincial committee welcomes task teams to investigate political killings, kidnapping

The Gauteng Provincial Legislature's Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has welcomed the establishment of two specialised units in Gauteng aimed at investigating political killings and kidnapping.

Committee chairperson Bandile Masuku said this targeted intervention will play a critical role in strengthening investigative capacity and disrupting organised criminal syndicates responsible for these offences.

The first specialised unit will focus on the investigation of political assassinations and politically motivated killings of government officials.

Masuku explained that this unit would mirror the model of the Political Killings Task Team, which had previously demonstrated the importance of dedicated investigative capacity in dealing with targeted and organised violence.

The second specialised unit will focus on crimes related to kidnappings, extortion and criminal activities targeting infrastructure projects.

Masuku pointed out that these crimes had increasingly become sophisticated and coordinated, posing a serious threat to public safety, economic stability and service delivery in the province.

He said the creation of these units signalled a firm commitment by the South African Police Service to confront violent crime head-on and to restore public confidence in law enforcement.

He highlighted that his committee strongly supported the establishment of these specialised units, particularly considering the alarming crime statistics highlighted during a briefing last week by the Gauteng Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni.

Masuku pointed out that during this briefing on the third quarter crime statistics for the 2025/26 financial year, covering the period between October and December 2025, the committee was informed that 10 police officers were murdered in Gauteng in just three months.

"Of these officers, 4 were killed while on duty and 6 while off duty…the murder of a police officer is not only an attack on an individual, but a direct attack on the rule of law and the authority of the State," he explained.

He called for harsh punishment for the perpetrators responsible.

He noted that equally concerning was the growing trend of kidnappings in the province.

"According to the crime statistics presented to the committee, kidnapping cases increased by 2.1% during the period under review. Kidnappings, often linked to organised criminal networks and extortion schemes, have become a significant threat to communities, businesses and public officials," he said.

BLSA calls for more convictions following first major State capture conviction

Progress on improving accountability is finally materialising South Africa; however, the pace is still too slow, business organisation Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) CEO Busi Mavuso writes in her latest weekly newsletter.

"Last week's sentencing of former ANC MP Vincent Smith to seven years' imprisonment represents the first major State capture conviction, a breakthrough after years of waiting for justice," she explains.

Smith was convicted of accepting R800 000 in bribes from facilities management company Bosasa while chairing Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services. Bosasa had been awarded over R1-billion in contracts by the Department of Correctional Services.

The Zondo Commission concluded that Smith had breached his oath as an MP to uphold the Constitution.

He also failed to declare R21-million in earnings his company received over nine years to the South African Revenue Services (Sars), Mavuso explains.

She posits that Smith's conviction sends an important signal that powerful politicians are not beyond reach; however, the question now is who is next, with the Zondo Commission having identified several individuals to face prosecution.

"Former President Jacob Zuma himself was implicated in enabling State capture. Former Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane was found to have facilitated the Guptas' capture of State resources.

"Former South African Airways chairperson Dudu Myeni was found to have undermined governance at the airline. Former Sars commissioner Tom Moyane oversaw the deliberate destruction of the revenue service's capacity," Mavuso writes.

She calls on the National Prosecuting Authority to show that Smith's conviction is the beginning of sustained accountability, not an isolated case.

CONTINUING MALFEASANCE

Mavuso also calls for accountability to extend into government departments where corruption continues to undermine service delivery.

"Last week saw the arrest of Department of Health (DoH) director-general Sandile Buthelezi and two other senior managers on fraud and theft allegations. Full investigations and prosecutions must follow," she stresses.

Mavuso points out that the health sector has been especially afflicted with procurement corruption.

She highlights the case of Tembisa Hospital, where irregular procurement running to R2-billion led to the murder of whistleblower Babita Deokaran in 2021. Deokaran headed the Gauteng Health Department's anti-corruption unit and was gunned down after flagging irregularities.

Mavuso calls on the DoH to tackle issues through stronger oversight of provincial health departments.

"Cleaning up procurement, professionalising management and protecting whistleblowers deserve the department's full attention," she asserts.

At local government level, the accountability crisis manifests differently but with equally serious consequences, Mavuso avers.

She points out that State-owned Eskom has been struggling for years to collect payment from municipalities that owe it R110-billion.

Many metros and smaller towns use revenue collected for electricity and water to pay for other services, leaving Eskom unpaid and infrastructure unmaintained, Mavuso explains.

She warns that, without resolving this crisis, Eskom faces an "impossible position".

"It cannot raise new finance with such debt on its books. In the competitive electricity market that is emerging from government reforms, Eskom must be financially sound. Yet cutting off municipalities would harm thousands of citizens who pay their bills on time, violating their rights to minimum service levels. The real culprits are municipal officials failing to manage finances appropriately," Mavuso points out.

She notes that efforts to resolve this have failed, with the National Treasury's developing of a negotiated debt plan with municipalities faltering as municipalities have not honoured the terms.

Last week, Eskom...

Ramaphosa points to eThekwini's 'progress' in improving local govt ahead of elections

"When local government fails, the impact is felt by communities, businesses and households. When local government works well, villages, towns and cities become engines of opportunity and growth."

Those were the words of President Cyril Ramaphosa in this week's letter to the nation, in which he said with the local government elections looming, it was an opportunity for stakeholders to not campaign for the ballot but to renew the local government promise to citizens.

"The progress being made in eThekwini to rebuild capacity and restore accountability shows how municipalities can achieve a turnaround with political will and the involvement of stakeholders and residents," he said.

Ramaphosa met with stakeholders of the Presidential eThekwini Working Group, last week – which was created in 2024, following residents and businesses' concern about the state of the city – and he noted progress in stabilising the eThekwini municipality, which was plagued by a lack of service delivery, crumbling infrastructure and declining business and investor confidence.

"The Durban Business Confidence Index is at its highest level since it was established. In the manufacturing sector, confidence has risen by nearly 16% quarter-on-quarter, a significant development for a city with a major port and a strong industrial base. Tourism has also rebounded strongly, with more than 1.2-million visitors to the metro during the recent festive season. In addition, key infrastructure projects are underway and we are seeing improvements in safety and security coordination across the metro," Ramaphosa pointed out.

He said while there were still areas for improvement, eThekwini was a "viable model" showing that partnerships can be replicated in other metros to improve service delivery.

He pointed to the success of basing the turnaround on the District Development Model, as well as a Partnerships Framework, approved in 2025, and based on public-private cooperation on infrastructure and catalytic projects.

Ramaphosa said lessons from eThekwini were taken to Johannesburg, with the establishment of the Presidential Johannesburg Working Group. He also said the review of the White Paper on Local Government would result in a "far-reaching overhaul" of South Africa's local government system.

"While working groups can contribute to stabilising municipalities, sustained progress depends on strengthening institutional capacity across the entire local government system. Municipalities must be able to deliver on their constitutional mandates without the need for national intervention," he stated.

Meanwhile, Ramaphosa stated that poor revenue management and rising municipal debt were still major challenges for municipalities, noting that audits revealed two-thirds of them were in financial distress.

As a result, over the next three years R27.7-billion has been allocated for metros to reform water, sanitation, solid waste and electricity services.

"The progress being made in eThekwini and other municipalities is part of a broader programme of reforms that are contributing to better economic growth and improved business confidence. The reforms we are undertaking in the energy, water, telecommunications and logistics sectors are already making an impact on the efficiency and competitiveness of our economy," Ramaphosa said.